Consumer Unit

Lob1

Looking to do a self install but problem is access to indoor consumer unit. The consumer unit is located inside behind a small ceiling bulkhead. The unit is all visible but difficult to work on. I have a 20 amp 6mm square cable coming from the garage it is used for charging a robomower and lights so not much current draw. I plan on installing a 6 kw ground mount not looking for grant as I am being quoted €1850 for a ground mount by a SEAI reg installer. I have a wall where I can install the panels using Unistrut and buy the kit and it is working out a lot cheaper. Don't mind doing the installation myself.

Hopefully I can get a RECi reg eletrican to connect the invertor and sign off on the FIT paper work for Electric Ireland.

Is it possible to locate all the kit in the garage and use the existing cable.?

If it is not possible to use the existing cable can a sub consumer unit be fitted outside close to the meter cabinet.

Located in Wexford

An info or photos of work required in the consumer unit would be greatly appreciated

First post thanks for reading

Ubbquittious

1850 for a 6kw install? that price is unreal.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287043#Comment_119287043

I would think that's just for the ground mount not the full install. OP will clarify I'm sure though.

slave1

€1850 for a proper 6kWp ground mount is not had at all, I built my own from tubular galvanized steel and with the price of materials these days that was a very good price if it includes all materials and labour.

OP, if you are DIY the ground mount then think about incorporating a tilt in the panels, e.g. panels should be about 60% this week versus 14% in January, can make quite the difference

GalwayMan74

I've a similar question.

How much space do you need in your CU when adding solar?

I've a decent sized CU (4 rows) but its completely full.

Its also recessed into a block wall so cant expand.

Lob1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287144#Comment_119287144

its the extra charge for the mount only. It can be done for a lot less.

I can buy the mount for around €700.

installation would take a few hours.

Lob1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287329#Comment_119287329

Do you know if you can use a sub CU board?

Lob1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287329#Comment_119287329

Do you know if you can use a sub board

irishchris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287329#Comment_119287329

I ran into similar problems with my second solar array. Just installed small sub consumer unit next to main one and had the solar breakers and changeover switch put in it.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288081#Comment_119288081

Yes.

So the way mine is wired up

House consumer unit > Meal store CU > Barn CU. The solar inverter is in the barn CU.

Only issue that might arise if you are looking to put in batteries, there needs to be a cat5 cable ran to either the house consumer unit or the meter cabinet to measure the grid import/export so the hybrid inverter knows when to charge/discharge

GalwayMan74

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288127#Comment_119288127

Mines recessed into a block wall but I could add a consumer unit elsewhere.

GalwayMan74

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288210#Comment_119288210

What size cable is running out to your other CUs ?

Lob1

Is there the possibility of using a wireless link back to the Meter Cabinet?

Lob1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288323#Comment_119288323

I have a 6mm underground cable.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288323#Comment_119288323

16mm2

Its to feed a yard though. And about 100m by the time it gets to the barn.

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288327#Comment_119288327

High powered laser pointing at boiler with steam turbine?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287144#Comment_119287144

Ah I was thinking the panels must have fell off the back of a truck or something.

Mr Q

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058252930/consumer-unit

I have a setup where there is a SWA cable from the house to a sub unit. The sub unit then connects to an EV charger, inverter and few small bits. There is about 30 meters between the two units.

But my battery will be in the house. Like graememk said you may have an issue if you need to have one beside the inverter without a network connection to that point.

You should be sending in the paperwork now before you connect I think, not after you finish it. I sent my DIY paperwork in well in advance as didn't know how long it would take to get returned.

Lob1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119314349#Comment_119314349

Hi I sent in the paperwork but it was returned as it now has to be signed by a RECI registered electrician.

Mr Q

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119314367#Comment_119314367

Someone here has said the paperwork changed recently. When I sent in mine I just put an electricians name on it and that was all that was needed. He didn't need to sign anything at all.

Should be easy enough to get signed off.

Lob1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119314381#Comment_119314381

It now requires name and safe Eletrical number it is on page 2 of the NC 6